Was Proust captured on film leaving a wedding in 1904?
An article published by scholar Jean-Pierre Sirois-Trahan brings to our attention rare film footage showing family members and guests leaving the 1904 wedding of Elaine Greffulhe and the Duc de Guiche. Among those descending the staircase is a man of approximately 35 who bears a striking resemblance to Marcel Proust. Proust's presence at the wedding is well documented. Unfortunately, we cannot see the man's eyes and hair but many prominent Proustian are now convinced that he is indeed Marcel Proust.
NOVEMBER 1904 FILM FOOTAGE
The man who has been identified as Proust can be seen walking down the staircase at the 37 second mark. Do you think the man in the film who is supposedly Proust is the famous writer? If so, why? If not, why? Please send us your thoughts via email: billcart@uab.edu or ndrogoul@gmail.com, or leave your comments below.
We will post additional information about the film and responses to is as they become available. Here are some photos of Proust that were taken in the years just preceding or following the 1904 wedding. The pictures of Proust on board the yacht were taken 3 months before the wedding.
Proust in 1902
August 1904
September 1905
RELATED MEDIA LINKS
The Guardian - Canadian professor discovers what could be only footage of Marcel Proust
The Guardian - Marcel Proust on film: discovery of what could be the only existing footage
Le Point - Et soudain apparaît... Marcel Proust
Télérama.fr - Le film où l'on voit Marcel Proust, une “découverte” ? Non, c'était connu depuis trois ans !
Le Figaro - Marcel Proust, à la recherche de sa première image filmée en 1904
Le Monde - Est-ce bien lui ? Marcel Proust découvert dans un film de mariage de 1904
The New Yorker - Marcel Proust, Caught on Film
The Times Literary Supplement - Proust on film?
Franceinfo - VIDEO : l’ancien maire de Cabourg authentifie les images de Marcel Proust